Two healthcare workers in Kilkenny have died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Both people were staff members at St Luke's Hospital and are believed to have died in the past 48 hours.
It is reported the two people who died were a man and a woman.
In a statement, the Ireland East Hospital Group, which operates St Luke's, extended its sympathies to the families of both.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser Paul Bell said the two workers were employed as support staff at the hospital.
He said: “We offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of our two deceased members.
"The colleagues of these two workers as well as the members and staff of the Union’s health division are deeply shocked by their deaths.
"These two workers have made the ultimate sacrifice while assisting in the fight against the COVID-19 virus."
The two deaths bring to three the number of healthcare workers who have died here after contracting COVID-19.
Late last month, officials confirmed a healthcare worker who had been diagnosed with coronavirus died in the east of the country.
Figures released by the Department of Health yesterday evening show there have been 444 coronavirus-related deaths in the Republic, while the number of confirmed cases stands at 12,547.
As of midnight on Monday, a total of 2,872 cases of the virus were associated with healthcare workers.
